New Michael

The play opens with a thought monologue of Michael describing his day in class where he was told that humans will not live past the year 2030 due to environmental degradation and pollution.

Play Title: New Michael

Author: Stephen Sewell

Publisher: Center for Sustainable Practice in the Arts

Anthology: This play is part of a collection entitled, Where is the Hope? Edited by Chantal Bilodeau

Genre: Drama

Primary Discipline: Environmental

Scientists: N/A

Source Texts: N/A

Character Breakdown: 3 males, 2 females

Michael, Dad, Mum, Auntie #1, Uncle, Auntie #2

Setting: Michael’s home

Time Period: Unknown

Synopsis of Play: The play opens with a thought monologue of Michael describing his day in class where he was told that humans will not live past the year 2030 due to environmental degradation and pollution. Michael brings this thought up to his father and is instantly faced with rage. His father wants to write to the principle and demand that they prohibit this type of teaching in school. Michael references the UN in saying that there are 300,000 deaths per year and rising due to global climate change. Michael decides there is no point in homework or school anymore and exits to play video games in his room. His aunts, uncle, and parents convince him things are worth living for, but Michael doesn’t seem to care. He is very set in the idea that there is no point in work if climate change will lead to the end of the world.

First Performance Date: Unknown

First Producer: Climate Change Theatre Action 2017.

Performance History: This short play has been performed at various venues across the world as a part of the Climate Change Theatre Action 2017.

Biography of Author: Stephen Sewell is well-known for his film and theatre work, including his AFI Award-winning script of The Boys (1998), and plays such as The Blind Giant is Dancing, It Just Stopped, and Kandahar Gate (Parade Theatre, 2014). Sewell is one of the most celebrated and experienced writers in Australia. He chaired the Australian National Playwrights Centre for a number of years and is the recipient of numerous awards, including a two-year Australian Council Literary Fellowship and the prestigious ANPC Award for Significant Contribution to Australian Theatre (2004). Sewell is Head of Writing for Performance at the National Institute of Dramatic Art. [Taken from Where is the Hope? By Chantal Bilodeau].